MLB: Archer and Rays beat Yankees 1-0

AP, NEW YORK

Mon, Jul 29, 2013 - Page 19

Chris Archer allowed just two hits for his second shutout in three starts, outpitching Ivan Nova and leading the Tampa Bay Rays to a 1-0 victory over the New York Yankees on Saturday.

Kelly Johnson had an RBI single off Nova (4-4) in the sixth to help the American League East-leading Rays improve to 24-5 since June 23, when they were in last place.

In the National League, Bryce Harper, Ian Desmond and Denard Span all homered, powering the Washington Nationals to a 4-1 win over the New York Mets.

Dan Haren (5-11) pitched seven innings for his first win since May 9, allowing one run and three hits.

Desmond and Span hit back-to-back homers against Dillon Gee (7-8) in the second inning and Harper followed with a two-run drive in the third.

In the AL, Chris Carter hit a three-run home run, and Justin Maxwell and Matt Dominguez added solo shots as the Houston Astros downed the Toronto Blue Jays 8-6 to end a three-game slump.

Dallas Keuchel (5-5) pitched a season-high 7-1/3 innings to end a six-start winless skid. He allowed six runs and 10 hits, walked one and struck out six for his first victory since June 16.

Oakland’s Derek Norris had a pinch-hit two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to lead the Athletics past the Los Angeles Angels 3-1 for their second straight win and fifth in the last seven.

In Atlanta, Georgia, Andrelton Simmons hit a two-run double in the eighth inning as the Braves beat the St Louis Cardinals 2-0 in a matchup of NL division leaders.

Julio Teheran allowed two hits in seven innings, striking out six and walking one.

In other NL games, Michael McKenry had a career-best four hits and drove in two runs as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Florida Marlins 7-4, the San Diego Padres dominated the Arizona Diamondbacks 12-3, the Chicago Cubs shut out the San Francisco Giants 1-0, the Los Angeles Dodgers downed the Cincinnati Reds 4-1 and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Colorado Rockies 7-5.